Process of printing



July 16, 1940. P. H. DURUP El AL PROCESS OF PRINTING Filed Jan. 16, 19392 Sheets-Sheet l JMJ OMMQL tliforfl eg July 16, 1940. P. H. DURUP ET ALPROCESS OF PRINTING Filed Jan. 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July16, 1940 PTENT oFFicE raoosss F PRINTING Paul H. Durup, Wollaston, andJohn J. Ormond,

Boston, Mass, assignors to Artographic Incorporated, a corporation ofMassachusetts Application January 16, 1939, Serial No. 251,192

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of printing envelopes, cards, andother sheet subject matter, and to a method of printing envelopes andother separate subject matter from edge to edge.

An object of the invention is an improved method of printing. Anotherobject is a method of printing in register on the back side of anenvelope, and a method of printing the backside of an envelope from edgeto edge, in the absence of gripping members, at high speeds. Among otherobjects there may be cited means and pro cedures, to apply uniformlyprinted subject matter of high quality upon varying types of envelopeand card paper stock; to make use of the mer chanical construction ofthe envelope in effecting an offset printing operationover the backsurface of an envelope; to develop high-speed operation by making use ofthe mechanical construction of the envelope and employing a suitabledrying ink therewith; and generally to present an eilicient method ofprinting envelopes having such quality combined with cheapness as toplace large scale envelope printing for advertising purposes on anattractively commercial basis.

The invention comprises a method of printing in register over a sheet ofsubject matter at high speed. Apparatus suitable for use in the practiceof the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of offset printing members, partlybroken away, together with means for registering subject matter with theprinting members;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the registering means shown in Fig.l particularly illustrating side register means.

Fig. 3 is a detail view in end elevation of the mechanism indicated inFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified 40 side registermechanism.

Fig. 5 is a detail view indicating a symmetrical cross section of a cammember as employed in the modification of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view in cross section 45 illustrating morecompletely printing means as employed in carrying out my improvedprocess.

Fig. 7 is a plan viewillustrating the position in which an envelope isdisposed when passing to the printing members.v

50 Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a detail cross section taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 7. 56Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in end elevation of the printing memberswith an envelope shown in cross section engaged therebetween; and

. 'Fig. 11 is a detail view similar to Fig. 9 and further illustratesthe detail portion of that figure after the envelope has been printed.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of guide plate construction and holding means.

We provide in our method a procedure for printing sheets of subjectmatter from edge to edge. This operation difi'ers from common ofisetpractice and is known as .bleeding-ofi. In any bleeding-01f operation,it is very difiicult to secure proper registration of subject matteradvancing to the printing rolls, and to separate such subject matterfrom the printing blanket, especially in high-speed operation. onemethod which has been suggested for effecting proper registration, wherea gripper mechanism cannot be employed on the surface of the subjectmatter to be printed, comprises the use of a. plurality of conveyorbelts moving diagonally relative to a lateral guide plate. This proposalis not satisfactory for effecting fine adjustment at high speeds,particularly when dealing with sheets of subject matter such asenvelopes. In the present invention, bleeding-off may be effectedwithout gripper or separating mechanism, and without the use of diagonalconveyor belts, and fine register is obtained in high-speedoperation.Apparatus suitable for carrying out our method of printing together witha method of printing from edge to edge is now described.

Having particular reference to Figs. 1 and 6, III indicates a printingroll, II refers to a transfer roll and I2 is an impression roll. Roll I0may be provided with a printing plate I3 of a gravure or intaglio typeand the roll rotates in a clockwise manner as viewed in Fig. 6. Thisr011 picks up ink from a distributing roll I4 deposited thereon by anink roll I5 in association with an ink trough I6 containing the ink I'I.I8 denotes a doctor blade received in bar I9 for removing excess inkfrom the printing plate I3 during rotation thereof. According to theusual manner of offset printing, ink is pulled from the recessedportions of the intaglio plate I 3 on to the resilient blanket 20 ofroll II. The latter roll rotates in conjunction with roll I2 and appliesink to the subject matter 9 to be printed, supported on impression plate2| of roll I2. In place of the offset printing mechanism illustrated, wemay wish to use direct printing machines and similarly other processesof printing as planographic and letter press, may be used with theofiset type in place of the intaglio means shown. I I

Printing member 20 is adapted to be in rolling contact with pressureroll 2|, fragmentarily shown, in which is slidably received a guideplate 22 for receiving the front edge of subject matter to be printed.Adjacent the printing members has been provided a register mechanismwhich includes a pair of parallelly disposed sides 23 between which issupported a shaft 24. Between sides 23 and passing around shaft 24 areconveyor belts 36, only one of which appears in Fig. 2,

driven by rolls 3'! and being adapted to advance sheets therealong.Within the sides 23 is a pair of side plates 25 and 25a havinghorizontally occurring base portions and being laterally adjustable, thenearer one of which, as viewed in Fig. 1, has been broken away.

The side plate 250. and the guide 22 materially assist in effectingregister of subject matter passing to the printing members. The guide 22may be positioned to come into rolling contact with the printing memberprecisely on the front edge of an ink image on the printing member,

and similarly the side 25a may be adjusted to be essary. The sheet 9must be squarely presented to the printing image, that is, a front edgemust be in alignment with the image. Of more importance, however, for ableeding-off operation is maintenance of the sheet in a correct lateralposition while being squarely presented; and also maintenance of acorrect longitudinal position while being squarely presented and held ina correct lateral position. It is pointed out that a sheet may besquarely presented with an incorrect lateral position or an incorrectlongitudinal position and an unsatisfactory result will beobtained. Toeffect a satisfactory operation, additional register mechanism and themeans already referred to have been cooperatively employed in a novelmanner to obtain a more positive functioning as now described.

Fixed on shaft 24 and extending beyond the extremities of the sides 25and 25a is a pair of upturned fingers 43, formed with squared ends 44which normally occur in the position shown in Fig. 2 above the level ofthe conveyor belts. Initial front alignment, to present the subjectmatter 9 squarely to the printing members, is effected against ends 44by advancing asheet along belts 36 between the sides 25 and 25a, and onthe base portions thereof.

Adjacent side 25 has been secured a block 26, upon which is pivotallysecured, by a pin 27, a lever 28, more clearly shown in Fig. 2. Thelever 28 is formed with an upstanding end 29 through whichis received arod 30 being resiliently maintained therethrough by spring 3| and nut32. The other end of rod 30 is engaged in an upstanding stud 33 fixedaround-shaft 24. Side 25 is formed with a cutout portion 25a throughwhich may be received an inwardly protruding head 35 formed on theforward end of the lever 28.

On the Shaft 24, and outside of stud 33, is

fixed a link 38 carrying a cam follower 39. Cam follower 39 normally isengaging with a surface 46 of a cam 2| and when plate roll I2 is passedaround into the position shown in Fig. 1, a raised cam side 42 thruststhe cam follower 39 rearwardly, which rotates shaft 24 and advances theposition of stud 33 carrying rod 30. As stated, lever 23 is pivoted onpin 21 so that forward movement of the rod results in lateral movementof the lever head 35 through the guide rail 25 which has been adjustedto occur at a point centrally of a sheet passing in front of it. Theaction of the lever head 35 urges the sheet 9 squarely against the side25a. This occurs slightly after engagement of the sheet against thefingers 43, and spring 3! then pulls head 35 back into position for asucceeding operation. The subject matter while in its squared positionagainst the finger members is brought into a correct lateral position inregister with a lateral edge of an ink image on the printing membertoward which the sheet is advancing.

With further rotation of shaft 24 the fingers 43 drop down below thelevel of the sheet of subject matter and the sheet is free to passahead. At this point it will be observed the sheet is in a squaredposition relative to the rolls .and in a laterally aligned positionrelative to a lateral edge of an ink image on the printing member but nomeans have been provided for holding the sheet in this position and itmust be registered in a correct longitudinal position relative to theink image.

Fixed on shaft 24 are bars 45 adapted to support and lower a secondshaft 46 mounted in the sides 25 and 25a. Shaft 46 is driven by asprocket gear and chain connected to main driving gears of the machineand carries rollers 4'! fixed thereon which are adapted upon lowering ofthe shaft to have driving engagement with a sheet thereunder on theconveyor belt and the bottom portions of plates 25 and 25a. Lowering ofbars 45 takes place when cam follower 39 has been outwardly displacedinto the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and is timed to occur while thefingers are dropping so that the sheet is firmly engaged at a rearportion between the rolls 4'! and the plates 25 and 25a when the forwardedge is disengaged, and the correct lateral position of the sheet whichhas been effected against the inner side of plate 25a is accuratelymaintained.

Located transversely in front of the printing members is a shaft 15supported in an exterior part of the frame of the printing machine.Received on shaft 15 are collars 16 adjustably' fixed thereto by meansof set screws 11. The collars 'l! are formed with lug portions 18through which are adjustably fixed clip members '19 having bentextremities which are adapted to extend forwardly through recessed edgesof guide 22 to a point just in front of the nip of the rolls so thatportions of the guide 22 are free to meet the printing member 20 and bedepressed thereby and the clip member 19 is maintained in spring contactwith the forward edge of the pressure plate 2| while the guide is beingdepressed and until the edge has nearly reached the nip of the rolls.

The driving rolls 41 immediately advance the sheet to the guide 22 withthe peripheral speed of the driving rolls 4'! being greater than theperipheral speed of the guide 22 on the roll. 2|, so that a positivepressure is set up'to register the front edge of the sheet in a correctlongitudinal position, and to maintain the sheet in this position whilethe roll is turning and-until the front edge of the sheet 9 has enteredthe nip of the rolls. It will be noted that the clip 19 will maintainthe forward edge of sheet 9 flatly against the plate 2i while the guide22 is being depressed. If the envelope reaches thefront gauge sooner atone side than another, the pressure of the rolls moving at a speedgreater than that of the gauge quickly squares the sheet around so thatit contacts the gauge along its entire front edge. At the same time, asthe gauge is moving it allows the envelope to be squared without anysubstantial buckling or bending occurring. This not only insured perfectfront edge register with the positive pressure referred to, but preventspremature contacting of the printing member with the forward edge of thesheet and eliminates occurrence of blurred or wiped edges. Engagement ofthe driving rolls continues at the rear end of the sheet after the frontedge has entered the printing rolls and this assists'in insuring propermaintenance of the sheetin its correct lateral position.

It will be noted that the mechanism described for effecting sideregister of a sheet to be printed comprises a head 35 which is ofrelatively small dimension compared with the dimension of a sheetpassing ther'ealong, and it is also pointed out that the action of thishead 35 is relatively fast, especially in a high-speed operation,substantially approximating a hammer-like stroke. A modified type ofmechanism for effecting side alignment has been illustrated in thedrawings in Figs. 4 and 5.

As before, theside 25 is cut out at 58 in a beveled manner, and slidablyreceived in the cutout has been provided a modified type of head 48. Thehead 48 has been sharply elongated to present a greatly increasedbearing surface on the edge of a sheet against which it may engage. Head48 is resiliently maintained in the cutout portion of side 25 by meansof a fiat spring 58 havin opposite extremities bearing on the side 25and with a central portion of the spring being secured to the head.

A shaft 49 is driven by gears 53, 54, 55. associated with a driving partof the printing machine and mounted on shaft 49 are cams 56 and bearingagainst spring 58.

The head 48 together with its actuating mechanism is timed to operatewith the passage of an envelope or sheet thereby, and it will be notedthat in addition to the elongated face providing a greater bearingsurface, the action of the cams 55 and. 51 tends to effect a gradualtravel of the head 48 to whatever degree may be desired and by properadjustment it is possible to practically urge the sheet against theopposite lateral side and momentarily maintain it there while it isbeing engaged by the driving rolls 4'! above referred to. If desired,other types of heads and other means of gradually contacting such headswith sheets may be resorted to.

The combined effect of the three registering means described isoperative on an envelope at three points, a lateral edge, the top sideof the envelope and a forward edge, and as a result a treatmentparticularly suitable for envelopes is carried out, the envelope ismaintained in a flattened state and correct lateral position,transferred in this condition from one register mechanism to another,final longitudinal position effected, and the envelope immediatelyprinted whereby buckling and other difficulties are overcome inproviding suitable register for a bleeding-oif operation at high speed.

The scope of the printing means illustrated and described is intended tobe applicable generally to printing subject matter from edge to edge inthe absence of holding means. A particular consideration of thisinvention, while not to be taken in any limiting sense in regard to theuse of the mechanism referred to, is the printing of envelopes, cards,blotters, and the like, and the method of printing will hereinafter bedescribed with reference to an envelope. In printing the entire backside of an envelope, there must be effected accurate register,high-grade printing quality and high-speed operation. An envelopepresents particular difficulty due to its size, poor quality of paperand uneven back surface. Moreover, the envelope is relatively light inweight and at high speeds tends to develop troublesome sticking to theprinting member. High-speed operation is essential to maintain costs ata practical commercial point and a minimum speed of five thousandenvelopes an hour must be maintained for the printing operation to beconducted on a profitable basis.

By using a transfer blanket and a suitable ink for it as shown, it ispossible to obtain a highgrade of printing over the uneven envelopesurfaces comprising various types of paper stock. The mechanism nowdescribed comprises a means for printing in register from edge to edge.When properly utilized with an envelope it may function to carry outhigh-speed envelope printing at satisfactory rates of speed.

We provide an improved method of printing envelopes with the apparatusdescribed by utilizing certain mechanical features of an envelope whichis pertinent to any type of printing on a folded envelope. Inconsidering the mechanical construction of the envelope in relation tothe printing apparatus and its ability to overcome sticking on theprinting member, it is pointed out that substantially all envelopes areof a size suitable for having a back side printed all over and are of arectangular or square shape as illustrated in Fig. 2, have their rearsides constructed from two folded over end flaps 60 and BI, have abottom flap 62 glued down on to the end flaps, and have a top flap 63left free. It will be observed, as may be better seen in Fig. 3, that anenvelope presents two layers of paper 64 and 65, only the top layer 64of which receives the ink, and it will also be observed that there is aspace between the two layers which is constantly maintained, therebydeveloping a springiness or tendency of the two layers to remain aparteven after being pinched together. The reason for this springiness isreadily apparent since the folded over parts which make up the back ofthe envelope tend to open up and occur in a slightly arched state asillustrated in Fig. 3 while the front of the envelope tends to remain ina substantially flat position.

It has been found that this envelope construction, which is common to amajority of envelope types, presents stiffness and multiple-plycharacter which may be used to advantage, as for example, by opposingand minimizing sticking and thereby allowing higher-speed operation thanwould be possible with a single sheet.

The tendency of the two plys of paper to spring apart results indistorting of the top ply by the printing member after passing the nipof the printing member while the bottom ply tends to pass along in astraight line and indirectly exerts a force to carry the top ply with itthereby breaking the top ply away from the printing member. In addition,the mechanical construction of the envelope is such that it may be moreefiec tively utilized by specific positioning. It is pointed out that anenvelope may be advanced to the printing members with either the bottomflap 62 or end flap 60 or 6| or the top flap 63 in a forward position,and will present varying amounts of stiffness in these positions. Amaximum amount of stiffness is presented by advancing the top flap ofthe envelope tothe rolls first. The reason for this is that the twoedges 66 and 61 secured by gum or glue 68 converge in this position andoffer the greatest initial resistance to bending and have the strongesttendency to maintain the envelopein a straight position.

There are further advantages in presenting the top flap of an envelopein a forward position in that it insures the free flaps being completelyflattened down when printing occurs and eliminates danger of anunprinted margin developing around the edge of the flap, and it providesan improved method of applying ink against those edges where the bottomflap 62 laps over the end flaps 6D and 6| and results in the ink film 69tending to effect a sealing action along those edges by rolling the inkthereagainst, thereby preventing accidental loosening of these edgessuch as often ocurs when the envelope is exposed to dampness and otherunfavorable conditions.

It will be observed that there is disclosed a method of printingseparate sheets of subject matter from edge to edge,'a specificapplication of the method to envelopes together with a method ofpositioning and advancing an envelope and employing the mechanicalconstruction of the envelope to advantage and associating ink with theedges of the envelope.

There results an efiicient and commercially practicable method ofprinting from edge to edge particularly pertinent to large scaleprinting of envelopes at speeds as high as ten thousand an hour. Theapparatus employed in carrying out the method of printing described isclaimed in our co-pending application Ser. No. 251,191, fiIed January16, 1939. Changes in the sequence of operations and apparatus shown areintended in accordance with the spirit of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. In a method of printing, the steps which comprise aligning thesubject matter to be printed both forwardly and laterally, thenreleasing the subject matter from the aligning means and advancing itpositively into contact with forward register means associated with aprinting surface, and maintaining the forward edge of the sheet flatlyadjacent the forward register means while the latter is being depressedby the printing memher.

2. That improvement in methods of feeding subject matter to roll memberswhich consists in advancing said subject matter into contact withdepressible register means in one of said rolls, and then maintainingthe forward edge of the subject matter flatly adjacent the register asthe latter member is depressed.

3. That improvement in methods of registering subject matter to bepassed between roll members which consists in positively holding a frontedge of the subject matter against a register member in one f the rollsand also flatly adjacent a supporting surface of the register roll untiljust prior to the point at which the subject matter is engaged by thenip of the rolls.

JOHN J. ORMOND. PAUL H. DURIIP.

